Marilyn Shriver was born August 11, 1932, a daughter of Henry & Margaretha Weisheit Rabe. She attended school in Mendon, graduating from Unity High School in 1950. She married Victor L. Shriver, Jr. (Junior) on October 30, 1950, at Salem Lutheran Church in Mendon, IL. They settled in a family home outside Ursa and raised 5 children Daniel, Jane, Victor L. (Chip), Judy and Jonathan.
From an early age, Marilyn was talented in the kitchen arts as well as gardening. Her backyard and gardens were inspiring to many as they drove by her home on Highway 96 South of Ursa. She and her husband Junior told their grandchildren years later that they considered themselves caretakers in God's gardens and found joy in watching crops and flowers grow.
Marilyn was a homemaker and an avid volunteer. She was an enthusiastic and hands-on 4-H leader, teaching life skills to the Ursa Willing Workers 4-H Club members for more than 35 years. She taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the importance of service to others. For more than 40 years Marilyn volunteered as an American Red Cross Gray Lady at Good Samaritan Home, helping the residents with art classes. Once all of her children were in school, Marilyn worked at Forbes Clothiers, retiring as a seamstress after 27 years.
Marilyn used her love of gardening and baking to engage her competitive side. She entered countless exhibits in the Adams County Fair's Domestic Arts Building each year. There were many late nights and early mornings spent gathering up last minute flowers for just "one last exhibit." She excelled in her entries at the fair, with her initials "ML Shriver" finding its way to the blue ribbon more often than not. Her competitive side came out as she took home ribbons each fair season for her baked goods, garden produce, flower arrangements, and stitchery. She passed down her love of the Adams County Fair to her granddaughters, who volunteer there today.
Marilyn also excelled at seeing and pulling out the talents of others. As a 4-H leader Marilyn was always finding ways to help her 4-Hers locate and harness untapped potential, even when they were reluctant participants. She was always looking for a way her 4-Hers and grandchildren could serve others. Marilyn knew that focusing on service early on would aid in the social and intellectual growth of the kids in her life. She always looked for ways to innovate a 4-H project in a different way, and loved to watch a team project come to fruition.
Marilyn loved gardening, tending to her flowers, and spending time with her grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Marilyn was a homemaker and an avid volunteer. She was an enthusiastic and hands-on 4-H leader, teaching life skills to the Ursa Willing Workers 4-H Club members for more than 35 years. She taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the importance of service to others. For more than 40 years Marilyn volunteered as an American Red Cross Gray Lady at Good Samaritan Home, helping the residents with art classes. Once all of her children were in school, Marilyn worked at Forbes Clothiers, retiring as a seamstress after 27 years.
Marilyn used her love of gardening and baking to engage her competitive side. She entered countless exhibits in the Adams County Fair's Domestic Arts Building each year. There were many late nights and early mornings spent gathering up last minute flowers for just "one last exhibit." She excelled in her entries at the fair, with her initials "ML Shriver" finding its way to the blue ribbon more often than not. Her competitive side came out as she took home ribbons each fair season for her baked goods, garden produce, flower arrangements, and stitchery. She passed down her love of the Adams County Fair to her granddaughters, who volunteer there today.
Marilyn also excelled at seeing and pulling out the talents of others. As a 4-H leader Marilyn was always finding ways to help her 4-Hers locate and harness untapped potential, even when they were reluctant participants. She was always looking for a way her 4-Hers and grandchildren could serve others. Marilyn knew that focusing on service early on would aid in the social and intellectual growth of the kids in her life. She always looked for ways to innovate a 4-H project in a different way, and loved to watch a team project come to fruition.
Marilyn loved gardening, tending to her flowers, and spending time with her grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Marilyn was an active member of Zion Church in Ursa and enjoyed attending Bible studies and services at other churches, both local and throughout the country. For countless years she used her own flowers, as well as re-purposing flowers given to the church, to ensure Zion had beautiful arrangements on the alter and piano.
In their retirement, she and Junior were ready and willing to give rides to fields, pick up parts, and share snacks. They also volunteered for Denman Medical.
In their retirement, she and Junior were ready and willing to give rides to fields, pick up parts, and share snacks. They also volunteered for Denman Medical.